What is Kabbalah?
The Kabbalah is an ancient mystical tradition of the Jews. For thousands of years it has been kept secret from the masses like an untapped underground spring. In the 18th century the saintly mystic, The Baal Shem Tov, (lit. The Master of Good Name) had a transcendental experience where he encountered Moshiach (the messiah). He was informed that Moshiach will appear in the world when the 'wellsprings' of the Baal Shem Tov's teachings spread outward. Thus began the endeavor to disseminate his saintly wisdom. At first the teachings were conveyed in short pithy sayings similar to droplets issuing forth from a spring. Soon they were expounded upon by various Chassidic masters, and the droplets broadened into a river. Currently the teachings are being translated into languages other than the Hebrew/Yiddish original, and explained in contemporary terms that everyone can relate to; the river is flowing forcefully, branching out to people all around the world. The Pardes Centre is one such branch of the river.
A Tree of Life
The Hebrew word Pardes literally means an orchard. However, its letters are also an acronym for the four general ways of interpreting the Torah:
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The connection between an orchard and the four levels of Torah interpretation is that a single Torah thought is compared to a delicious fruit and the Torah explained at all four levels is like an entire orchard filled with all varieties of luscious and delightful fruits.
As the name suggests, 'The Pardes Centre' teaches all four levels of interpretation, however, it emphasizes the Sod level - the Kabbalah.
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